Simulation and verification for seed-filling performance of cell wheel precision seed metering device based on discrete element method

Abstract

The cell wheel seed metering device was improved and a stirring seed-filling device was added to improve the seed-filling performance of cell wheel pseudo-ginseng precision seed metering devices. Using pseudo-ginseng seeds in Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province as the objects for seed metering, the software application EDEM was adopted based on the discrete element method for the simulation calculation and analysis of the seed-filling performance of the seed metering device under 4 rotational speeds of the cell wheel and 6 rotational speeds of the stir wheel. The simulation results indicate that the filling ratio increases as the rotational speed of the stir wheel increases under a constant rotational speed of the cell wheel. Test verification of the simulation analysis results was conducted on the test bed of the seed metering device. The results indicate that increasing the rotational speed of the stir wheel can obtain a filling ratio of over 90%. The test results display a similar variation trend to that of the simulation analysis with an error of average filling ratio less than 5%. Therefore, it is feasible to analyze the seed-filling performance of the stirring and seed-filling device of the seed metering device with the discrete element method.